Therapeutic Massage REVISED
Curriculum Description
The Therapeutic Massage curriculum prepares graduates to work in direct client care settings providing manipulation / massage of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress, and to promote health and wellness.
Courses include content in normal human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic massage, ethical /legal issues, business practices, and pathology. Students should be able to perform entry level therapeutic massage with various populations throughout the lifespan.
Employment opportunities include health care facilities, chiropractors ’offices, spas /health/sports clubs, and private practice.
Graduates may be eligible to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam.
Effective December 31, 2010, the BMBT will only accept the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEX).
The following represents one way in which the program of study can be completed. Students who aren’t able to follow the recommended curriculum model below should consult their academic advisor to be sure that they take courses in the best order for their success.
Associate in Applied Science
A45750
NC CIP: 51.3501
Day
POS Approved: Fall 2025
Fall Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTH 110 | Fundamentals of Massage | 6 | 9 | 3 | 10 |
| MTH 125 | Ethics of Massage | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Freshman Composition | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Writing and Inquiry | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 11 | 9 | 3 | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MED 121 | Medical Terminology I | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| MTH 120 | Ther Massage Applications | 6 | 9 | 3 | 10 |
| MTH 121 | Clinical Supplement I | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| MTH 130 | Therapeutic Massage Mgmt | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total: | 11 | 9 | 6 | 16 |
Summer Term
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select one: | |||||
| Basic Anat & Physiology | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | |
| OR | |||||
| Anatomy and Physiology I | (3) | (3) | (0) | (4) | |
| AND | |||||
| Anatomy and Physiology II | (3) | (3) | (0) | (4) | |
| Select one: | |||||
| Intro Interpersonal Com (Global) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Oral Communication | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 7 | 2 | 0 | 8 | |
Fall Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTH 210 | Adv Skills of Massage | 4 | 9 | 3 | 8 |
| MTH 221 | Clinical Supplement II | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Interpersonal Psychology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| General Psychology (Global) | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 7 | 9 | 9 | 13 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUM 115 | Critical Thinking | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| MTH 220 | Outcome-Based Massage | 4 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
| SOC 225 | Social Diversity (Global) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| WBL 111 | Work-Based Learning I | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Total: | 10 | 6 | 13 | 14 |
Total Credit Hours: 66
Additional Information
Additional admissions requirements:
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate
- Completion of the Forsyth Tech Student Medical Form
- Completion of Therapeutic Massage Bodywork Documentation Form
- For complete list of requirements, contact the Program Coordinator.
Program Information
This program has limited enrollment. The Admissions Office can provide additional information on the selection process.
A grade of C or better is required in all MTH courses or the student will be dismissed. Readmission may be possible but requires reapplying and approval by the college and Program Coordinator. Among the reasons the North Carolina Board for Massage and Bodywork Therapy may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to license a massage and bodywork therapist or applicant include the following:
- The employment of fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in obtaining or attempting to obtain a license or the renewal of a license.
- The use of drugs or intoxicating liquors to an extent that affects professional competency.
- Conviction of an offense under any municipal, state or federal narcotic or controlled substance law until proof of rehabilitation can be established.
- Conviction of a felony or other public offense involving moral turpitude until proof of rehabilitation can be established.
- An adjudication of insanity or incompetency until proof of recovery from the condition can be established.
- Practice as a licensee under this Article without a valid certificate or renewal.
Criminal Background Checks/Drug Screening
Clinical agencies require criminal background checks and/or drug screening for students assigned to their facility for clinical education. In addition, national and/or state registry and/or licensure boards may prohibit eligibility for registry or licensure based on criminal background records. Please refer to the Health Sciences section on www.forsythtech.edu.
A45750